from my sketchbook

Artists of the River Pageant exhibition, Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park

I'm thrilled to be part of this delightful exhibition. I went to the preview last night, and was chuffed to see my image of the Thames Pageant up on the top floor of this four story Victorian tower. 

Over 50 artists exhibited in a great variety of styles and mediums, including 3D. My favourites are a scroll of Plein Air sketches by Alexander Creswell, a River Scroll by Max Naylor in windswept inks (sepia, blue and striking golds),a very atmostpheric Flotiila in the Rain Study by Antony Garrett, a very theatrical The Pageant from Shad Thames by Sophie Charalambous, a study on newsprint, River Pageant Print, by Roanna Stallard, the magnificent engraving , Gloriana Coronation Chicken by Chris Orr, the exuberantly colourful Guiness Court Street Party by Dominic Madden and the residents of Guiness Court and the fascinating 3D collection of Flotilla models by Micheal Coldman.

The exhibition is part of the Mayor's Thames Festival and runs until 15 September 2013 (Mon- Friday 11am - 5pm, Sat11am - 3pm, and Sun11am - 5pm. Admission free). Do go and take a look if you're free. http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/artists-of-the-river-pageant  

Chris Orr

part of scroll by Max Naylor

Pump House

part of scroll by Alexander Creswell

Micheal Coldman

Roanna Stallard

Dominic Madden and residents Guiness Ct

My image

Beech Road, Chorlton

Beech Road 2013, available as limited edition prints soon.

Artists of the River Pageant exhibition

I'm really excited - one of my ltd ed prints will be on show in London next month in 'The Artists of the River Pageant' exhibition, part of the Mayor's Thames Festival. Wed 4th -Sun 15th Sept, Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park.
Do take a look if you're in London!
http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/artists-of-the-river-pageant

SCBWI Illustrator Masterclass June 2013

This excellent SCBWI (Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) workshop entailed working with Sarah Malley from Egmont Chilldren's Books on a yet-to-be-published text, so we were free to come up with our own interpretations. Participating illustrators submitted pencil roughs on their character designs and proposed spreads, and received initial feedback in April. Finished artwork was then brought to the June workshop. It was fascinating to see all the different interpretations and ways of working, and I learnt so much. I had great fun playing with made-up characters, too, especially the Guzzler. 

Here are some of my roughs and character studies for the Guzzler, Skidaddler and Minwriggler, followed by the final spreads.

Cheshire County Show 2013 sketches

Watching the animals being judged was fascinating. Here are some of my sketches from the second day (19th June)

Poster Art 150 exhibition

I got the chance to visit the Poster Art 150 exhibition at the London Transport Museum last weekend. What a stunning selection of posters! Here's a selection of my favourites. 

Anna Katrina Zinkeisen 1934

Charles Paine 1921

James Henry Dowd 1924

Fougasse (Cyril Kenneth Bird) 1944

Andre Edouard Marty 1933

Horace Taylor 1924

Andrew Power 1933